Meta Sued Over Alleged Secret WhatsApp Message Scanning
A new lawsuit accuses Meta of secretly scanning private WhatsApp messages for advertising, directly contradicting its public promises of end-to-end encryption.
Key Allegations in the Lawsuit
- The class action, filed in a San Francisco federal court, claims Meta scans all user messages, photos, and videos shared on WhatsApp.
- The extracted data is allegedly used for targeted advertising on Facebook and Instagram.
- This practice is claimed to violate US federal law, California privacy statutes, and WhatsApp’s own privacy guarantees.
WhatsApp’s official terms and privacy policy explicitly state that message content is protected by end-to-end encryption and that the company does not keep logs of user communications.
Contradiction in Claims
The legal filing, however, alleges a systematic scanning operation. It states Meta uses AI to analyze all shared images, videos, documents, and links to identify “banned conduct” and user characteristics.
“We intend to fight them,” Steinfeld said. “WhatsApp does not see people’s private messages, and we are committed to protecting people’s privacy with end-to-end encryption.”
Meta spokesperson Matt Steinfeld dismissed the lawsuit’s claims as “without merit,” reaffirming the company’s commitment to user privacy.
The lawsuit seeks unspecified damages for all US residents who have used WhatsApp within the past two years.
